City Council Meeting of November 9, 2026

The City of Lakewood City Council meeting on November 9, 2026, included review of 2027 lodging-tax recommendations and proposed 2027 fees and charges. Lodging-tax applicants requested more than $3.4 million, while approximately $2.4 million was available for allocation; recommendations are scheduled to return to Council on November 16. Changes to award amounts or additional applications would require another lodging-tax committee review at least 45 days before Council action. The presentation also noted that the McGavick Center’s debt service ended in 2026, freeing about $102,000. For development-services permit fees, staff recommended retaining a $120 hourly rate, but Council members expressed support for increasing it to $140 now and reviewing the data again later; the fee schedule will return for approval. Other proposed fee changes included a 2.9% credit- and debit-card service fee, an approximately $8-per-worker-hour charge on extra-duty contracts, and updates to parks and recreation fees. Council discussed a possible 50% field-rental reduction for Lakewood youth athletic leagues, with further consideration needed on how to fund it.

The Information Technology manager presented a proposed approximately $190,000 upgrade to Council Chambers audio and video equipment, including improved audio, 4K video, and microphone-linked camera switching. The item is to return to Council; the City Manager clarified that funding was added through the 2026 mid-biennium adjustment. No final contract award or vote on the upgrade was reported. The meeting also included a Municipal Court operational update, including discussion of the workload effects of photo-enforcement citations, but no related procurement action was identified.